A Perfect Day in Napa Valley
Things to Do in Downtown Napa (Beyond Wine)
If you’re visiting Napa Valley but want a break from the wineries, spending a day exploring downtown Napa is a great way to experience a different side of the region. Downtown Napa has become one of the most vibrant areas in the valley, with excellent restaurants, scenic riverfront walks, unique shops, and easy access to the beautiful Napa Valley Vine Trail.
Here’s how to spend a memorable day in downtown Napa—with brunch, a scenic bike ride, a relaxing spa stop, and great food. Watch the video below to see all the experiences highlighted in this itinerary.
Watch the full itinerary video.
Start Your Day at Grace’s Table
Start your day with brunch at Grace's Table, a longtime local favorite known for its welcoming atmosphere and globally inspired menu. Grace’s Table serves breakfast and lunch dishes influenced by cuisines from around the world — including American, Mediterranean, and Mexican flavors. The relaxed setting makes it a wonderful place to ease into the day before exploring the rest of downtown.
Explore Downtown
After brunch, explore downtown Napa on foot. You’ll find unique shops and public art throughout the colorful, charming heart of downtown.
Walk the Napa River Promenade
Take a short walk to the Napa River promenade, which runs through the heart of downtown. The riverfront path offers beautiful views of the water, historic buildings, and public art installations. It’s a peaceful place to stroll and one of the reasons downtown Napa feels so pleasant and walkable.
Rent a Bike & Ride the Napa Valley Vine Trail
If you’re feeling a little more active, consider renting bikes and heading out onto the scenic Napa Valley Vine Trail. The Vine Trail is a beautiful, paved, and mostly flat path that eventually connects Napa to Yountville and other towns in the valley. Even a short ride offers gorgeous views. A great place to rent bikes is Fat Tire Bike Tours & Rentals, located right in downtown Napa. They offer bikes, route suggestions, and helpful advice for exploring the area.
Relax at Greenhaus Day Spa
After your bike ride, a relaxing spa stop can be the perfect way to recharge. Greenhaus Day Spa is a local favorite known for its excellent massages and peaceful atmosphere. It’s also often much more affordable than the luxury spas at nearby resorts.
Explore Oxbow Public Market
Next, head over to Oxbow Public Market, one of downtown Napa’s most popular gathering places. This lively indoor marketplace features local food vendors, coffee shops, wine bars, and artisan goods. Even if you’re not hungry, it’s a fun place to browse and pick up small gifts or snacks. The market sits right along the river, making it an easy stop during your downtown walk.
Dinner at the Culinary Institute of America
Right next door is CIA at Copia, the Napa Valley campus of the Culinary Institute of America. The property hosts cooking classes, culinary events, and a wonderful restaurant, The Grove, that serves seasonal dishes inspired by the region. Dinner here is especially enjoyable in the beautiful outdoor garden, where you can relax after a full day exploring downtown Napa. And yes, they have a wine bar too.
Where to Stay in Downtown Napa
If you’re planning to stay overnight, a great option is Napa River Inn, located at the historic Napa Mill right on the riverfront. The hotel is walking distance to everything mentioned in this guide, making it a perfect home base for exploring downtown. If possible, book one of the rooms with a patio overlooking the Napa River — it’s a charming spot to unwind at the end of the day.
Getting Around Downtown Napa
Parking downtown is surprisingly easy. One convenient option is the Pearl Street public parking lot, which places you right in the middle of the historic district. From there, nearly everything is walkable: restaurants, shops, the riverfront promenade, and Oxbow Public Market. There is also free parking by Oxbow and CIA, but I find that lot tends to fill up quickly on the weekends.
Why Downtown Napa Is Worth Visiting
While wine tasting gets most of the attention in Napa Valley, downtown Napa offers a completely different experience. With excellent restaurants, scenic river walks, bike paths, public art, and unique local businesses, it’s a great place to spend a relaxing day between winery visits.
Plan Your Trip
Hotel:
Napa River Inn – Check rates on Booking.com
Bike Rentals – Book on Viator
This review was not sponsored and it reflects my personal experience and opinions.
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you book through these links at no extra cost to you.
